Prayer & Position James 5:13–16 It’s not performance that makes prayer effective. It’s the position you are in Christ. What are the things you’re keeping back because they’re painful? - Maybe it’s something you did. - Maybe it’s something that was done to you. - The thing about secrets is that we can keep them, but eventually they start keeping us. - They live rent-free in our lives. - But we’re paying for them with our peace. Secrets separate. Confession creates community. 1. Say Something James 5:16 James says: - Is anyone in trouble? Pray. - Is anyone sick? Pray. - Is anyone in sin? You better confess that, sis. Every condition has a confession. Sometimes we wait for other people to call and check on us, but sometimes you have to call someone and tell them what’s going on so they can pray for you. For every circumstance, there is a confession. We have no problem letting everyone know when we’re doing good. We don’t mind talking about things when they make us look good. But when the pain increases, we get quiet. When we constantly say, “I’m fine,” we can close the door to our healing. - We’re not called to bleed on everyone. - There is a difference between privacy and secrecy. - Privacy says, “Someone needs to know.” - Secrecy says, “No one needs to know.” You don’t need everyone, but you do need someone. 2. Stop Hiding When God asks Adam, “Where are you?” He isn’t asking because He lost Adam. God sees him. The question isn’t about Adam’s location. It’s an invitation for Adam to admit his condition. God is still asking us: “Where are you?” Where is the real you? What’s actually going on? Sin can lead to guilt, and guilt can turn into shame. Shame tells us to hide. All of us want to be known without actually being seen. So we hide and try to carry everything on our own. But hiding is hard work, and silence has a cost. We can become so accustomed to pain and trauma that we start pushing away the very things and people God may use to help us.